With decades of experience and a proven track record in Colorado Springs, our goal is simple: to protect your rights, fight for your recovery, and treat your dog bite case with the urgency and care it deserves. Our team takes pride in offering personalized support and tailored legal strategies to guide you in securing maximum compensation.
How Our Colorado Springs Dog Bite Lawyers Can Help
Hiring a local dog bite lawyer who understands Colorado Springs’ legal landscape provides unique benefits. At Boesen Law, our familiarity with local courts, procedures, and resources allows us to develop strong cases and secure maximum compensation efficiently and effectively. If you need to call for help when a dog bites, our team is ready to guide you through the legal process with expertise and care.
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
What Boesen Law Offers:
- Expertise in Colorado dog bite law: Our team has an in-depth understanding of state-specific statutes, tailoring each claim’s strategy to Colorado’s legal requirements for the best possible outcomes.
- Skilled negotiation with insurance companies: We protect clients from lowball settlement offers and maximize compensation for injuries through effective negotiation strategies.
- Comprehensive evidence gathering: Our team assists in collecting medical records, witness statements, and critical documentation to build a strong case and address potential challenges, like disputes over liability.
Understanding Colorado’s Dog Bite Laws
According to C.R.S. § 13-21-124, owners are liable if their dog bites someone lawfully on public or private property. Colorado rejects the one-bite rule, applying strict liability for serious injuries or deaths without requiring proof of negligence. For less severe cases, victims must prove negligence. Comparative fault may reduce compensation based on the victim’s share of fault.
Colorado One-Bite Rule
Unlike states with a one-bite rule, Colorado follows a strict liability framework. This means a dog owner can be held accountable for injuries caused by their pet, even if the dog has no prior history of aggression. In these cases, victims don’t need to prove negligence to file a claim or press charges against the owner of the dog for the harm caused.
However, this only applies if the victim suffered serious bodily injury (as per C.R.S. § 18-1-901) or died as a result of the dog bite. For less serious cases, you can still recover compensation by filing a personal injury claim, but you’ll need to prove negligence.
Comparative Fault in Dog Bite Cases
If the dog bite didn’t result in serious bodily injury or death, you can file a claim to prove the owner’s negligence and recover compensation. A key thing to consider here is Colorado’s comparative fault rule.
Under C.R.S. § 13-21-111, the compensation a victim can recover is reduced by their percentage of fault for the incident (if any). For example, if the victim is found 20% at fault—perhaps for ignoring warnings or provoking the dog—they can only recover 80% of the total damages awarded.
Defenses in Dog Bite Lawsuits
Dog owners may use various defenses to limit their liability in a dog bite case, including:
- Provocation: The owner may claim the victim provoked the dog by teasing, hitting, or antagonizing it.
- Trespassing: If the victim was unlawfully on the owner’s property, this defense can limit or bar compensation altogether.
- Assumed risk: The owner might argue the victim knowingly interacted with a dangerous dog.
- Performing lawful duties: If the dog was engaged in official tasks, like herding or guarding property, liability may be reduced.
Given these defenses and Colorado’s comparative fault rule, the importance of seeking the right legal help cannot be overstated. An experienced attorney can help gather evidence, counter owner defenses, and prepare a strong legal strategy to minimize any claims of victim responsibility.
Common Injuries Caused by Dog Bites
In dog bite incidents, victims can suffer a range of injuries that go from minor lacerations to severe, catastrophic injuries. Some common injuries include:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations that require stitches or surgical intervention.
- Infections such as rabies, tetanus, or other bacterial infections.
- Scarring and disfigurement can have long-term emotional and physical impacts.
- Nerve damage may lead to chronic pain or loss of sensation.
- Emotional trauma, like PTSD or a long-term fear of dogs.
Types of Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
After a dog bite in Colorado Springs, you may be entitled to compensation to cover all the costs associated with the incident. This includes:
- Medical expenses: Coverage for treatments, surgeries, and ongoing care.
- Lost wages: Reimbursement for time missed from work.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for emotional and physical distress.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Addressing long-term or permanent physical impacts.
- Property damage: Costs associated with damaged personal belongings.
Our Colorado Springs personal injury lawyers calculate all types of damages by thoroughly evaluating every aspect of your losses, considering both current and future impacts. By meticulously reviewing documentation and collaborating with experts, we ensure all details are accounted for to seek full compensation for the incident.
How Much Money Can I Get From a Dog Bite in Colorado?
The amount of compensation you can get after filing a claim depends on several factors, such as:
- The severity of injuries and required medical treatments: Severe injuries require costly, long-term treatments, significantly increasing damages.
- The victim’s ability to work and participate in daily activities: This affects lost wages and emotional suffering claims.
- The dog owner’s insurance policy limits: It limits the maximum amount available for recovery, directly impacting the total compensation.
Each case is unique, and consulting with an attorney is the best way to estimate the value of your claim. During a free consultation, a lawyer from our team can assess your case and provide you with an estimate, drawing on case results we’ve achieved in the past.
What Should I Do After a Dog Bite?
According to the CDC, approximately 4.7 million dog bites occur annually in the U.S., with children being the most common victims. Certain breeds are disproportionately involved in severe attacks. For example, pit bulls and rottweilers are often identified as among the most dangerous dog breeds in America, with pit bulls alone accounting for 66% of all fatal dog attacks between 2005 and 2019.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, taking the following steps can significantly strengthen your legal claim:
- Seek medical attention immediately to address injuries and prevent infections.
- Identify the dog and its owner, and verify vaccination records if possible.
- Report the incident to local animal control authorities in Colorado Springs.
- Gather evidence by documenting your injuries, the scene, and witness accounts.
- Contact a lawyer at Boesen Law to assess your legal options and guide you through the process.
Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Cases in Colorado
Colorado has a two-year statute of limitations for filing dog bite claims, as per C.R.S. § 13-80-102. Although this can seem like a long time, building a strong case requires thorough investigation, evidence gathering, and negotiations. Delays can jeopardize access to critical evidence and weaken your claim.
Additionally, missing this deadline means losing your right to pursue compensation, so make sure you contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Contact a Colorado Springs Dog Bite Lawyer Today – 24/7 Available for Our Clients
With decades of experience and in-depth knowledge of state-specific laws and regulations, we can significantly improve your chances of securing fair compensation.
You can schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers to start strategizing the best way forward and determine your claim’s potential value. Contact us today to get started.
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
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